Milestone XProtect® Rule Engine
Feature Brief
Automate actions with the versatile rule engine
- enabling tailoring and adaptation of the video surveillance system
The rule engine is a central element in Milestone
XProtect VMS and NVR products. Its versatile event and
time-driven logic enables tailoring and adaptation of
the VMS system to match customer specific situations
and needs. It makes it possible to automate a wide
range of security functions, increasing operational
efficiency by eliminating the need for manual
intervention.
The logic that brings versatility to the VMS system
The rule engine builds on the principal logic where an input
can trigger one or more actions, conditioned by the time and
day. A wide range of events and time schedules can trigger
rules in the rule engine, as shown below. Lost connection,
motion detection, analytics and tampering are examples of
events originating from cameras and devices. Other categories
of events originates from external systems integrated via the
Milestone Integration Platform (MIP) API. Systems events is
yet another category of events, providing useful insights into
the operational status of the VMS system and related
hardware.
Key benefits
• Increases operational
efficiency as standard
security tasks can be
automated
• Adaptive control of system
behaviour based on actual
operational conditions
• Enables operational
integration of external
applications, enabling
events, actions and
alarms to be triggered
across the integration
Key features
• Versatile rule logic defined
by simple “Outlook-like”
clear text logic
• Takes a wide range of
events and time schedules
as input
• Controls a multitude of
different internal and
external actions
• Integrates with external
applications and systems
Feature availability
The rule engine takes a wide range of input and can drive a multitude of different actions,
where a single input may trigger multiple actions
The rule engine can initiate an array of different types of
system actions, including control of connected cameras,
security peripherals, VMS-internal functions, external
applications, and systems. The rule engine can also trigger
different types of notifications like emails, SNMP traps and
custom notifications to Milestone Customer Dashboard.
The capabilities described in
this brief are available in
XProtect Corporate,
XProtect Expert, XProtect
Professional+ and XProtect
Express+. For details please
refer to the specification
sheets of the individual
products.
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Milestone XProtect® Rule Engine
Feature Brief
Increases operational efficiency
Operational efficiency is paramount not only to keep staffing
costs down, but also to keep security at the right level. The
rule engine is designed to tailor the operational procedures in
a video surveillance installation. By defining rules for
commonly occurring and critical events the need for manual
activities can be minimized, as operators are assisted in
handling incidents.
An example of an applied usage is how the system can make
operators aware about an “object left behind”. The rule engine
makes it possible to automatically display relevant cameras on
the XProtect Smart Wall based on the results of an integrated
video analytics application.
Adaptive configuration optimizes performance
Using the rule engine, it is possible to apply changes to the
system configuration dynamically. This makes it possible to
adapt the system behavior to the actual operational
conditions. An example of a commonly applied logic is to
increase video quality or frame rate on relevant cameras in
conjunction with a security incident. By doing so, this enables
the availability of high quality video for a possible forensic
investigation.
Configuration changes can also be scheduled. Such a
scheduling example could be the application of optimized
cameras settings for day versus night operation, which
increases the overall image quality.
Video enables external applications and systems
External applications and systems can easily be integrated
with Milestone VMS solutions using the MIP API, or via simple
network protocol integrations. Such third party systems
include video analytic applications, building management,
access control systems, and similar. The rule engine enables
operational integration of external applications, by facilitating
exchange of events, actions and alarms between the
integrated application and the VMS core.
Time profiles
There are two different
types of time profiles: static
and day length profiles. The
static profiles are defined
using an easy-to-use
calendar-based interface.
Using the day length
profiles, it is possible to
define a dynamic time
schedule that follows the
sun light at a given
location, by simply
providing the GPS location.
System wide and
generic rules
Rules are system wide and
may be applied to a single
device, a group of devices
or all devices.
Want to know how
Read more about the rule
engine in the Administrator
Manual:
Milestone Systems is a global industry leader in open platform IP video management
software, founded in 1998 and now operating as a standalone company in the Canon
Group. Milestone technology is easy to manage, reliable and proven in thousands of
customer installations, providing flexible choices in network hardware and integrations
with other systems. Sold through partners in more than 100 countries, Milestone
solutions help organizations to manage risks, protect people and assets, optimize
processes and reduce costs.
www.milestonesys.com
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